ivan_jbj Reviews

Madam Secretary (2014–2019)

Excellent show

[9/10 · 5 July 2022]

I have only picked up this show recently in June '22 and unfortunately, it is both reminiscing and prophetic about the situation with Russia and Ukraine in view of the events that unfolded after Feb '22 . It is a positive for the show, but a negative for the world we live in these days.

I am no expert on political matters, just living and watching the news today, I find the show very true to life or a possible version of it and would highly recommend it.

I have always been a fan of Barbara Hall's writing and this is no exception.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016)

I've been Gilmored.

[10/10 · 25 November 2016]

Man oh man....I am struggling for words to describe how I feel about the Gilmore girls. I was late to pick up the series on Netflix a few months ago and it took me about as much time to watch all 7 seasons through and through. I just managed to finish the original episodes 2 days before this revival hit.

Honestly, I can't thank Netflix enough for renewing this show. Even if it is short-lived it is totally worth it and for me, it managed to sweeten this bitter taste of Luke and Lorelai not ending up together in the original series. Not just that, but this picks up exactly and completely where they had left off and nails it. There is just nothing there that feels off or detached from the original episodes.

I sincerely hope we will get a lot of new seasons and episodes. I really wish this show would run forever. Make it as long as Guiding light or so, fine with me.

P. S. Since I posted this review I was surprised to see the amount of negativity the show has been receiving. So all in all, even though it may not be as charming as the original, i beg of you to give it a chance.

Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)

Oh them good shows...

[10/10 · 30 August 2016]

So...I am really out of words for this one. I must admit i picke it up later than I should have, but anyhow it never ceased to impress me and one of the very few shows that stays exticing through and through, from start to the very finish. I have never had a single dull moment with this show.

The characters are believable and lovelable, amazing acting. It is full of tearjerker moments that you can't help at all. Kyle Chandler is simply amazing,even more so compared to Early Edition which I never thought would be possible as it's also one of my favorite shows. I believe there is no need to mention how lovely and great Connie Britton.

Trust me, this is one show you don't want to miss. I do envy you if you are just about to watch it.

Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)

Sweet....

[10/10 · 30 August 2016]

I am not going to write a full long review of the show. The reason being I can't really explain why I like it, but I do. Once you start watching, you get attached to it. I t's like falling in love with a girl.... You find yourself thinking of her all of a sudden and wanting to see it.

Very enjoyable, likable and believable characters. The mother's jokes cracked me up all the time. One of the wittiest characters I have ever seen next to Chandler Bing.

Always been a fan of small town life shows and this one gets close to my favorite type.

P.S. They seem to drink coffee 99% of the time. P.S.2 I have finished watching the show. S07, Nov 2016....my eyes are full of tears it is so good.

P.S.3 If only Life was not so short so I could watch this show again and again.

The Blacklist (2013–2023)

Tought to rate

[10/10 · 2 May 2016]

I am not too sure how to begin this review and I honestly start it with mixed feelings only because I have watched all three seasons now. Should I have written it up until the middle of season three, this would have been an easy 10/10. However somewhere during season three it started to go down for me.

But lets start with the pros. The first 2.5 seasons were virtually amazing - very clever and exciting plot, amazing characters, the show never ceased to be thrilling and unexpected, probably one of the best out there. James Spader is a great character throughout the show and only builds up and up.

Now with the cons...I suppose they started with Megan Boone who plays Elizabeth Keen. Whilst she was amazing in the first couple of seasons, I wonder if it is the writers' fault or hers for the downfall in season three. I beg to differ from the comments about her looks, because although they may have gotten worse with age ( we are all human after all) I doubt this is all that was to it and made her character lose charisma and become somewhat less and less believable and well, lets face it - boring. The connection that was there with Red became flawed and broken and it really ruined the whole concept in so that they had to kill her in s03e18? It seems logical for the character in the show she had become, but the way it happened was so soap opera that just added to the disappointment and almost made me wish she had stayed in the show.

Overall, I hope it picks up in season 4 and I would definitely recommend the show as being amazing to anyone. Just a little minus to the latter part of season 3 where it became too trite and unexciting as it generally used to be before that.

Good show to watch though, I've definitely enjoyed it and hope it stays strong. P. S. After watching this through to the end of S03, I must admit despite Elizabeth's death, the show picks up towards the end of the last (so far) season and stays strong, building some very strong expectations for S04. Really looking forward to it.

'22 Edit. This has come to be one of my favorite shows ever, I have thoroughly enjoyed it even in season 9, wish they keep renewing it. AMAZING!

Nikita (2010–2013)

Surprisingly impressive

[9/10 · 11 April 2016]

I used to be a fan of the original series and picked up this remake pretty late,only in 2016. So overall i did find it to be much more than i expected. Most of all I find the screenplay impressive and that unlike most American TV shows, the characters and the atmosphere in this one is actually quite believable. What most contributes to this is the characters speaking Russian where it matters....you see, most US shows just leave you to believe that English is the mother tongue for Martians, while this one gets you to believe that Americans actually do speak another language. Whilst it isn't perfect, that contributes to the overall atmosphere of the show and the usual action and suspense.

So yes, I really loved this show and would definitely recommend it.

Gossip Girl (2007–2012)

Surprisingly impressive

[9/10 · 7 March 2016]

As a straight dude initially I was quite skeptical to the title and the seeming concept of the show. So i was browsing netflix and totally bored decided what hell, why not give it a shot. So then it started....i was quite impressed with the actors play regardless of their hotness, they are extremely good actors and very credible characters. The gossip girl website also rang a bell as a modern day metaphor for all social media and seems believable too, close to reality. Whist on the negative , i did find some repetitive patterns that some may find boring, but overall the story is quite exciting, captivating and a real tearjerker at times. Well done. P.S. After writing this review, I stopped watching this show at the s03e03 for like an year as it has got pretty boring at this point and quite different to the original high-school atmosphere. Recently I decided to give it another go and OMG, it really picks up and brings the old glory. So in the event like me you didn't like the transition after season 2, please please give it a chance, it really holds up to its reputation until the very end, full 6 seasons.

90210 (2008–2013)

Where do i start

[1/10 · 1 March 2016]

I don't mean to troll TV shows that have at least got the merit to being popular, but in all fairness this is some of the worst TV screenplay I have ever seen. Even as a non native speaker the dialogue and acting feel way off, the plot is very unbelievable and unrealistic. I admit to only watching first two episodes of the show and while I appreciate it might catch up and get better later on, I found myself facepalming throughout the entire 2-3 hours I initially watched.

Nice job to the crew for selecting hot women and men for the cast, but overall this is an extremely poor plot and show I would definitely advise everyone to stay away from. Just there are much better shows out there that are worth your time... Sadly this isn't one of them.